1988 Score Baseball Cards Price Guide
The 1988 Score baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic and valuable sets from the late 1980s. Score had been producing baseball cards since 1951 but the 1988 set stands out as one of their most memorable. The design featured vibrant team colors and large action photos of the players. For collectors at the time, Score cards were highly coveted and added excitement to the hobby. Even today, over 30 years later, 1988 Score cards remain popular with collectors and have maintained strong resale value. Let’s take a closer look at the set and what collectors can expect to pay for some of the top rookie cards and stars from the 1988 season.
The 1988 Score set contains 792 total cards and was packaged in wax packs, rack packs, and factory sets. Some of the insert sets included Score All-Stars, Record Breakers, and Traded sets. The base cards featured the team colors and logos along the bottom border with a vertical action photo taking up most of the front of the card. Statistics like batting average and home runs were printed on the back along with a short bio. The design was bold and flashy compared to some of the simpler designs from other brands during that time period.
One of the biggest storylines of the 1988 season was the rookie campaigns of Ken Griffey Jr. and Mark McGwire. Both would go on to have Hall of Fame careers and their rookie cards from Score are among the most valuable from the entire set. A Griffey Jr. rookie PSA 10 can fetch over $10,000. Even in raw near mint to mint condition, examples sell for $3,000-$5,000 regularly. The McGwire rookie has also held strong value over the years in top grades. PSA 10 examples change hands for $4,000-$6,000. In raw NM-MT condition, collectors can expect to pay $1,500-$2,500.
Another highly sought after rookie is the Barry Larkin card. Larkin would go on to win the 1995 NL MVP award playing for the Cincinnati Reds. His 1988 Score rookie in PSA 10 condition averages $1,000-$1,500 in recent sales. Even in raw near mint, examples sell in the $300-$500 range showing solid demand persists. Other notable rookies like Frank Thomas, Randy Johnson, and Tom Glavine also carry value but don’t command as high of prices as the Griffey, McGwire, and Larkin rookies.
In addition to star rookies, the 1988 Score set featured many established superstars entering their primes. Perhaps the most valuable regular issue card is the Nolan Ryan card. Even in well-worn condition, examples can sell for $50-$100 due to his iconic status. High grade PSA 10 copies have sold for over $1,000. Another Texas Rangers legend, Juan Gonzalez, has a card that maintains strong prices as well. His 1988 Score card in PSA 10 condition averages $300-$500 in sales.
Two of the biggest stars of the late 80s, Jose Canseco and Roger Clemens, also have cards that hold significant value. Canseco was coming off winning the 1986 AL Rookie of the Year and MVP awards. His 1988 Score card in top condition can reach $200-$300. Clemens won the 1987 AL Cy Young award and his dominance on the mound is reflected in the pricing for his 1988 Score issue. PSA 10 examples have sold for over $500 with raw near mint copies bringing $150-250.
The 1988 Score set also featured several other future Hall of Famers like Wade Boggs, Ryne Sandberg, and Ozzie Smith who were superstars of the time. Their cards remain popular with collectors. Examples graded PSA 10 of Boggs, Sandberg, and Smith have sold for $200-300 each. Even in raw near mint condition, collectors can expect to pay $50-100 depending on the specific player card.
The 1988 Score baseball card set endures as one of the most iconic and valuable sets from the junk wax era. Led by the monster rookie seasons of Ken Griffey Jr. and Mark McGwire, the set captured lightning in a bottle by featuring many future legends at the beginning of their careers. Over 30 years later, the vibrant design paired with compelling rookie and star player content has maintained collector demand. While the base cards only carry nominal value today, the top rookies as well as star performers like Ryan, Gonzalez, and Clemens still command significant prices – especially in pristine PSA 10 condition. The 1988 Score set serves as a reminder of the huge boom in baseball card collecting during the late 1980s.
